A/N Thank you all so much. It's Friday on Thursday! We left our couple with their hand-holding interrupted but the day at Merle and Karen's isn't quite over. Daryl has a thing or two to discuss with his brother. Our couple will have a brief encounter with a bit of an adversary and a plan to meet again...well you'll see. I hope you enjoy!

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She would see another side of Daryl before she left the Dixon's home that day. It was subtle really. It was just that this was the most time she'd spent with him and in that brief time she'd seen him in the role of younger brother, seeming to follow Merle's lead. Now she would see him as she was sure he was in his life and in his business. His own man.

It was a simple conversation, a seemingly minor disagreement between two stubborn men. It was neither rude nor contentious, but in the brief exchange of every day dialog she saw Daryl was most definitely a man who stood up for what he believed was the way things ought to be. And he was most definitely an equal. She liked seeing this side of him very much.

It started out with his simply stating to his brother, "Before I go I need ta talk to ya about sumthin'."

"Sure thing."

His look was serious and his eyes were on his brother's when he spoke, "I chopped alotta wood yesterday and I got a lot more ta go." He glanced over at Karen when he said, "I know it's Sunday but I still gotta work when I get home." Then his eyes were back on Merle's, "I got three cord left ta go at the house and a lotta other things I need ta take care of before I leave on that huntin' trip. I can't be takin' offa work ta get it done. I'm already takin' off next Saturday ta get the chinkin' done and I'll be shut down a week while I'm gone. I need some help brother and I'm askin' ta have Virgil and Cyrus come ta my place tomorrow, Tuesday and maybe Wednesday. I don't want Virg choppin' wood, not when there ain't someone there in case he was ta get hurt. I just want the boys stackin' what's already chopped, gettin' the chips and all the scrap scooped in the kindlin' bucket and I want em cleanin' out them salt barrels. Tuesday I'd take em to the shop ta stack and give me a hand with a couple other things."

"Gonna need em all day next Saturday too. I gotta get the house chinked inside and out. They can do the low stuff. No climbin'. I'll take care a anything that needs the ladder. But I mean ta have it all chinked before I leave for huntin'. When I get back we'll all be busy enough with the butcherin', the saltin' and makin' jerky.'"

Merle didn't know yet what was on his brother's mind. "Sure enough brother, you're huntin' for all of us and it's only right we should help ya out. We got our wood done this last weekend and brother ya know I always send the boys over anytime ya need em."

"Yeah I know and I appreciate that but it can't be like it's been no more Merle. They're big enough now they're real good hands, they work better'n most men. But I ain't gonna let em help me if ya ain't gonna let me pay em. You say what you want but it ain't right they should work all day for nuthin'. I'll hire a man before I let that happen again."

Merle didn't hesitate, "Nah, it ain't right that you would pay em. You're the one does all the huntin', you're the one that puts the meat on the table. It's right that them, me, Karen, all of us should help you out."

The two men locked eyes and seemed to stay expressionless. Beth saw the set of Daryl's jaw and she knew he wasn't going to waiver, whatever was decided his mind was made up. "No. Doin' the huntin' it's my choice, my decision, my way. I'll be doin' it no matter if these boys help me or not. It's also my choice, my decision and my way ta pay em and that's the way I'll have it or I won't have em help. There's plenty of men who need extra work."

This was talk between two men and the women and children stayed quiet knowing it wasn't their place to offer an opinion. The silence held for a long moment. In the end it was Merle who spoke first. He nodded saying, "Alright, but if you're gonna pay em then I want ya treatin' em like hired men. They don't do it right ya make em do it again." Then he looked to his sons, Virgil who was all of 11 years old and Cyrus just nine, "Boys, you'll be workin' for your uncle doin' just like he tells ya and you'll be earnin' your own dollar. Me and your Mama wanna hear from him what a good job ya done, alright?"

They would have helped their Uncle no matter what, that was the way it was supposed to be, but they were excited knowing they would have money of their own. The smiling boys nodded, "Yes Daddy."

Merle looked to Daryl acknowledging, "You're good man, Brother. Now ya know I do wanna sit down with ya and hear all about your plan for the huntin' trip, and I wanna do whatever I can ta help. It probably wouldn't do ta have Beth over here two Sundays in a row. Might look suspicious and folks like ta talk. What-say y'all come for dinner Saturday night instead?"

Daryl was pleased to have resolved the issue with his brother, and even more pleased about the prospect of sharing another meal with Beth Greene, he looked to her with a hopeful smile and simply asked, "Will you? Please?"

She was still pink cheeked from Merle's words but she was also happily surprised, she hadn't anticipated being invited back so soon. When she looked at Daryl's expectant face as he asked her please, she wanted so much to take his hand and tell him yes, but she did her best to focus on Karen, "How nice of you to ask. If you're sure, well yes of course, I'd love to. Thank you."

Daryl couldn't help the smile as then he looked to Karen, "I still got a real nice piece a bakin' ham, I'll send the boys home with it tomorrow." He turned to his nephews, "I'll leave Buck and you two can ride him over ta my place in the mornin'."

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He watched for her Monday morning and this day when he saw her coming down the street he smiled more broadly as he nodded his head in greeting. He could swear he saw her cheeks go pink from clear across the street as she smiled shyly and gave him that little wave of her hand.

He waited his customary fifteen minutes or so and then made his way to the store. He was thinking maybe he had a couple of logs at his place showing a little too much separation. He was pretty sure he might need some felt to poke in those cracks before he chinked them. He'd been in the General Store so often lately he happened to know they had a bolt of that fabric.

He walked in the store and exchanged the usual pleasantries with Jim and with Beth, taking the time to inquire of the man, "How's Merna doin'? Everythin' goin' alright?"

"Other than her swollen ankles and her being sick to death of sitting and doing nothing, Doc Carlson says she's just fine and we should see the baby in the next two to three weeks."

Daryl nodded, "Kindly let her know I asked after her and I hope the time passes easy." Jim smiled his appreciation saying as he did, "Ya know, I think I'll just go back and tell her that now."

They were alone and he quickly made his way to the counter where she stood waiting for him with that shy smile he'd grown so found of. While they stood looking into each other's eyes he let the tips of his fingers softly and slowly skim along the back of her hand. He smiled that little smile she'd become quite partial to and asked, "How 'bout you, how's Beth today?"

How did just his touch do this to her, render her nearly unable to speak? She didn't know, she only knew that when it came to Daryl Dixon she felt defenseless to fight the feelings she most certainly should not be having for him. "I'm well today thank you. I had a lovely dinner yesterday with a wonderful family. I'm looking forward to seeing all of them again very soon."

"Maybe not soon enough. Maybe some of em wish Saturday would come faster." He couldn't believe his own flirtatious conduct, never had he behaved this way with a woman. But this woman was like no other woman and every time he was near her he felt the need to be closer, to touch the softness of her hand and to let her know just how much he desired being in her presence.

Finally she composed herself enough to ask, "Can I help you with something today?"

He was a little embarrassed but the way she smiled at him took the sting of that away. "I almost forgot, thanks. I'd like ta get a quarter yard a that brown felt if I could. Please."

"Of course." She got the bolt down and began to measure it on the table, and although it was really not any of her business she was curious and didn't think he'd mind her asking, "Are you making something with this felt?"

"Nah, I'ma use it ta patch a couple a small gaps between some logs at my place. I just gotta put it in those gaps, get it nice and tight and then put the chink over it. Get's a better seal."

She smiled but she was truthful with him, "I don't have much of an idea about such things."

He smiled back, "Ya ain't ever lived in a log house, have ya?"

"No, I've seen quite a few but the only house I've ever lived in is the house where I was born. It's frame and wood sided."

"Well maybe someday you'll be in a log house and maybe when ya are I'll show ya how all that's done."

She was flushed again but she was smiling, "I think I might like that." In her mind's eye she had a picture of his little log home. Sweet and rustic and about the size of Merle and Karen's place. She wondered if she could live in such a tiny place and be happy. She caught herself, mentally scolded herself just like she seemed to be doing so often lately, and she tried to concentrate on tying the paper around his fabric.

Before he left he ordered a nickel's worth of horehound drops and he smiled as he handed the bag back to her. Things got a little playful when she told him, "Don't you try to leave before I give you your change back Mister Dixon," and she dropped a handful of the candies in his palm. He quickly put his other hand over hers caressing it gently. "Thank you, Miss. Maybe I might see you tomorrow."

"Maybe I might hope you do."

He was busy that morning but he already had a start on it. He'd gotten up long before the sun rose to start his day. He'd gone down in the root cellar and brought up two large wooden barrels for his nephews to clean. They'd be put to use when he returned from hunting. The fresh cut meat would be coated in a heavy mix of coarse salt and brown sugar then wrapped in cheesecloth, layered in the barrel and covered with cool water. The barrel lid would be tightly sealed and with the cold temperatures of the root cellar, the meat would be preserved. The brine could impart a strong flavor and it caused the meat to toughen, but it meant they had that meat for the many months ahead.

As much of the meat as he could he would simply hang. It would taste better and be more tender, and it would stay fresh a long time in the nearly freezing cold of the dry cellar. He checked his hooks for sturdiness and when he was satisfied all was well he got himself two rashers of ham and a couple of apples.

He made his breakfast, did his usual morning chores and when he left for the shop it was still far from being light out. Blackie was a good horse and knew the way day or night.

He had several smithy jobs scheduled and he hoped to have those done no later than his lunch time. After that he had plenty of wood he needed to chop for use right there at the shop.

Lunch time came and he ate his apple and then ate the ham with the bread Karen had sent home with him. He swallowed the last bite of his meal and smiled as he popped one of the horehound candies in his mouth. It was then he set about the task at hand.

He set up a big log for a chopping block and went to work chopping wood for the shop. Although the air already had a fall chill the sun was high and bright. It was only a half hour or so before he'd removed his work shirt. He was down to an undershirt and still the perspiration glistened on his face and arms as he swung the big maul.

She'd been helping Merna in the living quarters for an hour or so after lunch and when Jim came back to sit with his wife, Beth went back to mind the store. Her eyes immediately turned to the window and across the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blacksmith. When she did she felt her breath catch and her heart beat faster as she watched him at work.

She'd seen men chop wood many times but never had she seen someone perform the task with the kind of strength and masculine grace the blacksmith possessed.

He was such a fine sight to behold with his bare arms and broad shoulders exposed, his tanned skin seemed to be shimmering in the heat of the afternoon sun. She made herself blush at her own thoughts when she found herself thinking it was no wonder his arms looked so powerful, and his back and shoulders so broad and strong. She would never have tired of watching him, then a customer came in and interrupted her staring and her thoughts.

When she left the store at 3:15 he was still hard at it. His skin glistened even more and the wetness of it caused the cotton undershirt to stick to his skin. Even with his hair wet from perspiration and his body covered in a combination of sweat, wood dust and dirt, he was still so handsome and so appealing. She almost had to look away as the sight seemed to be making her own body feel warm.

She was tempted to go to him and tell him he should take a break and rest, but she thought she already knew the man well enough now to know, he was not the kind to rest until his task was complete. She was just turning to start on her walk home when he looked up and smiled, and this time she gave him her biggest smile and a little wave of the hand and was rewarded when his smile grew.

00

The next morning he was there before sunup again. He held Buck's lead in his hand as the horse walked behind him and Blackie, carrying Virgil and Cyrus. He got the fire stoked as the boys begin to stack the wood he'd chopped the previous day. He had three axes on order and he had to get to those first thing. He also had two horses coming in to get shod later that morning and probably some drop ins. He was anxious to get back to his chopping but it would have to wait for the paid work to be done.

He saw her as she walked down the wooden sidewalk on her way to the store and without even thinking he stopped what he was doing to watch her. He was captivated by the willowy look of her, the graceful way in which she carried herself and her beauty. It all had him smiling distractedly. He wanted to go to her, take her elbow and escort her to the store, but he knew he couldn't publicly be so blatant in his affection. Instead he simply nodded a good morning and enjoyed the smile and the small wave she answered with.

He waited the usual fifteen minutes or so and told his nephews, "I gotta go get sumthin' across the street. I'll be right back."

He walked in like he always did and exchanged pleasantries, and just like he did every morning Jim excused himself to go check on Merna. They were alone now and she smiled and asked, "What can I help you with today Daryl?"

"I's thinkin' I might could use a chunk a that soap. Seems like I'm usin' it up faster'n I use to."

"Certainly." She'd just begun to cut a good-sized piece from the large block when the knife slipped. Immediately blood spurted from her hand but by that time he was already over the counter. "Shit! I mean sorry," And he was wrapping the cut with his kerchief to try and stop the bleeding. "Sorry Beth, ya okay?"

"I…I don't know what happened, it just slipped."

His own heart was racing but he spoke to her calmly, "I know, it's all gonna be just fine. C'mon, we best get in the back and get it washed first thing."

He took her arm and he could feel her trembling and he wished to God it was he who was hurt and not her. As he walked her through the open door he called out so as not to surprise anyone, "Jim, Merna, we're comin' back. Beth had an accident."

She couldn't help herself she was embarrassed and it hurt and he was there and being so sweet and caring. Two little tears rolled down her cheeks. He wasn't thinking, that must have been it because his hand moved up and caressed her face and he spoke calmly and softly to her, "Please don't cry Beth. We're gonna get ya all fixed up. I promise it's gonna be all right." His voice might be calm but he wasn't.

There was a lot of blood but he was relieved to see it wasn't a large cut. It didn't appear to need sewing up. Still he could tell it was hurting her as he carefully cleaned the wound in Jim and Merna's kitchen sink. He applied a thick coating of salve and then wrapped it tightly in a clean white cloth that Jim handed him. "See there Beth, all done. It'll quit bleedin' right away with that on there tight like that. Still hurt?"

"No, I'm fine really. I'm sorry to upset everyone." He knew she was trying to make the rest of them feel better, he knew it hurt. Again he wished he could take the pain for her.

He couldn't stop himself from doing it again. He tenderly touched her face, and when he did Jim and Merna shared a quick look and a knowing smile. Daryl didn't notice, he was too focused on Beth as he quietly assured her, "Ya didn't do nuthin' wrong, it was an accident. I'm just glad it ain't worse." He turned to Jim and Merna, nodded his head and said, "Thanks," as if she were his responsibility and it was they who had helped her.

His hand was lightly grasping her upper arm as he led her back in the store, just as Mrs. Neudermeyer came in. Her brow was set and she looked like she might snarl when in a very accusatory tone she inquired, "Just what do we have here?"

Beth wasn't sure she could speak, she was already shaken up and now this grouchy woman was addressing her in such a harsh manner. She needn't have worried; the blacksmith did the talking. Daryl wasn't in the mood for putting up with the ill-tempered woman, but he was also mindful of Beth and her job.

He gave the woman a steely-eyed stare when he matter-of-factly responded, "What's goin' on is this nice clerk here was cuttin' a chunk a that soap for me and cut her hand. Just got it fixed up in Jim and Merna's place. Now if it's all right with you I'ma finish cuttin' off my chunk a soap, get my nephews each a stick a candy, pay my bill and I'll be on my way." His eyes were still staring her down when he added, "That is unless ya got more questions."

He'd almost caused Beth to smile but she managed to keep her look serious as she said to the woman, "I'll be right with you Mrs. Neudermeyer, let me just finish up Mr. Dixon's order."

She was nervous wrapping that soap with Mrs. Neudermyer looking on and her hand ached. He knew what was going on and said, "Don't bother with all that paper, I'ma be usin' the soap right away. Here, lemme just put it in my pocket."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, and here, let's see, I better have four a these cherry candy sticks. He put them on the counter looking at her while he did and they both pursed their lips as they tried hard not to smile. She told him his charges and he dug the money from his pocket, and he let his finger glide along her hand when he paid. She was scared Mrs. Neudermyer would catch on, but she found she was more thrilled than worried. He was being so forward and so sneaky it was almost shameful, but she liked what he was letting her know.

She put the change in his hand and he picked up the candy sticks, slipping them in his breast pocket. He tipped his hat and he was gone. But when she looked down she saw one of the candy sticks was butted up against the cash register drawer, out of sight of Mrs. Neudermyer's prying eyes. She bit her lip trying not to smile as she wondered how in the world he'd done that without her noticing.

He smiled as he crossed the street knowing that she would have seen the candy by then. Merle had taught him well all those many years ago as they worked, stole and borrowed their way to Independence, Missouri and eventually Heavenly. Long before his ninth birthday he'd mastered the art of slight-of-hand.

00

He worked long hours all week. When he left the shop at night he'd go home and chop more wood until dark, then have a quick dinner and get to bed. The next morning he'd be back at it, working hard long before the sun came up.

Friday had a sadness to it for both of them, it was her last day working at the store and being so close to him. It would be tougher now, he wouldn't be seeing her every day and she wouldn't be seeing him. There would be no short sweet conversations and no secret little touches. There was simply nothing to be done. She had a new job to start Monday morning.

There was one bright spot, they'd have dinner together Saturday. Maybe they could talk and figure something out. Some way they could secretly spend time together.

By Friday he'd decided he had enough wood chopped to get him by for sometime and he had other pressing things to tend to. When he got home he wasted no time mixing up his chinking. He planned to start on that task early the next morning, long before the boys got there. He got the wheelbarrow and he dumped in a good quantity of the ashes he'd been saving all year. Using a shovel he mixed the ashes with silt and clay. When the mixing was done he decided to begin his work that very night.

He took a thin flat wedge and his hammer and placed the felt in the small open spaces between a few of the logs, using the wedge and hammer to force the fabric in tight. Then he got his work gloves on and starting at the ceiling line he took the putty knife and began carefully spreading the chinking between all the logs. He took pride in his even lines and the smoothness of the seams. He stopped only long enough to open a quart jar of mixed berry jam, down nearly the whole thing and then he was back at his task. It was ten o'clock when he quit and his kitchen area was done.

He was back at it at 5:00 the next morning and Merle and the boys were there by six. Days were getting shorter already, the sun wasn't on the rise until nearly seven, so they started on the inside. Merle and Daryl concentrated on ceiling lines while the boys did the low work. With sunlight becoming more and more precious with each passing day, as soon as there was enough light they all started on the outside.

Merle's question was serious, "Why ya think ya gotta do this both inside and out? No one does it that way brother. Just doin' the outside is plenty good enough."

"I don't want good enough. I want the best seal I can get. I don't want no drafts and it keeps the fire in the stove better and the house warmer durin' the day. I don't like comin' home to a cold place after workin' all day."

"Sounds ta me like ya need a little sumthin' soft and warm ta come home to."

Daryl didn't cuss his brother, not in front of the man's sons, but the look he gave him spoke his thoughts. Merle just smiled.

Karen and Mary Ellen came by at noon with a half-gallon jar of lemonade, a basket of biscuits, fried bacon and hard cheese along with a jar of plums. They all ate quickly and then were back at it until three. That's when Daryl had to quit and get a bath, he was seeing someone for dinner. Someone he cared for enough that it was important to him to look and smell gentlemanly.

He paid the boys for the work they'd done that week, shook Merle's hand and said, "Wasn't expectin' ta have ya here ta help. Thanks brother."

"No thanks needed. I'm hopin' ta have a moose steak here real soon and that'll be thanks to you brother."

He rushed his shave and his bath both, he wanted to be there when Karen arrived with Beth, just about a quarter after four. He was careful to make sure he was clean and had gotten all the chinking out of his hair. It turned out he cut a couple of clumps off.

He was at his brother's and standing outside waiting when he spotted the wagon coming. He was sure he felt his heart beat a little faster in anticipation. He should not have come, he should be home finishing as much of his work as he could before dark. Then do what he could inside. It was not at all like him to put off tasks that needed doing. But he had to because he had to see her. Beth Greene was going to be sitting with him at the dinner table.

She had a basket lined in cloth in her lap and he reached a hand up to take it from her while offering her his other hand and helping her down. She smiled so pretty he knew he'd made the right choice in coming. "Beth, it's good to see you here."

"I'm happy to have been invited."

Merle had helped Karen down and Daryl's family all seemed to have rushed inside, leaving the young couple alone. He smiled a bit shyly and asked, "Do you think we could maybe take a little walk before we go in? Merle said dinner's runnin' a little late so we got a bit of time."

"I would like to but maybe Karen could use my help and I don't want to be rude."

"I already asked her and she says she don't need your help and we should go on and take our walk."

"Oh." Her cheeks were so pink as she cast her eyes down for a moment and then back at him. "Alright, a walk sounds very nice."

His smile was broad and his step light when he said, "Lemme just take this basket to her then, what is it?"

"I made cookies."

He was like a mischievous little boy when he asked, "Cookies? Can I have one now?"

She giggled, "Yes, of course."

He was back in no time with the cookie in his hand. "Wanna share?"

"No thank you, I've already been bad. I had one just before Karen came."

He looked at her, took a big bite and declared, "Best cookie I ever ate Beth Greene."

Then he got a look of concern and asked, "Lemme see how that cut's healin'." She had a smaller cloth bandage covering it now, he peeled it back and studied the small wound. "Healin' right up and no sign it's infected. Still hurtin'?"

"No, it's much better. Thank you for taking such good care." The little bit of praise embarrassed him and he shrugged it away.

They began to slowly stroll around his brother's property and he let his fingers brush against hers before asking, "Can I take your hand Beth, please?"

"Yes, I think I'd like that." The words had barely passed her lips when his hand wrapped around hers and they continued their slow walk to no place in particular.

He brought it up straight away. "You lookin' forward ta startin' your teachin' job Monday?"

"I'm looking forward to some parts. I'm excited to meet all the children. I'm excited and nervous to see if I can really do the job." Then she swallowed hard and said what was in her heart, "But I'm feeling a little sad that I won't see you in the mornings."

Her words went to his own heart and he lightly squeezed her hand agreeing, "That's the part I don't like. If them biddies weren't so mean I'd be stoppin' by ta see ya every evenin on my way home from work." He stopped then and turned to look at her pretty face. The crook of his finger went under her chin and he nudged it up and gazed in her blue eyes, smiling he told her, "I'd have ta come by just ta bring ya some candy and check you were doin' alright."

She giggled softly and he sure did like the sound of that, "I'm going to miss sharing candy with the blacksmith, but Daryl, I'm scared to death of that woman. I know she's just waiting for me to make a mistake."

"I know but we ain't done nuthin' wrong Beth. We're just bein' friendly, right? You're sharin' a meal with my brother's family. Ain't no law says I can't be there too, taking a meal in my own brother's home."

He was being bold and it emboldened her, "Yes, you're right, but what about after tonight?"

00

A/N More winter preparations. Now we know about meat preservation and how to make our own chinking, soon we'll know enough to rebuild in the ZA :) Thank you so much for reading along. Next chap we'll have dinner with the Dixons and hear all about Daryl's hunting plans. I'd appreciate you leaving a comment or review, and please check out the chap photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you all back here next Friday for more of A Place Called Heavenly. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee